Hand interface device

ABSTRACT

A hand-wearable device outfitted with data interface electronics is provided. The device is secured to its user by means of a comfortable material integrated across the top of the hand. The device includes a central palm section containing complex three-dimensional geometry and modular features for adjustable structures to house switch sensors. These structures account for each fingertip&#39;s location and orientation relative to the rest of the user&#39;s hand. Features to accommodate the comfortable securing material are built into the device to ensure the device does not shift or move around relative to the user&#39;s hand while being worn and operated. Integrated switch sensor and various power and transistor-based electronics allow the device to function and communicate with other computers and like devices. The device is worn on the left, right, or both hands simultaneously to enable access to the maximum number of potential sensor commands for a user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I) Input to switches contained within an existing device held by the hand is sub-optimal, since posture of grip of said device must be adjusted every time a different switch combination is used, unless a human-data interface device station remains stationary during use

II) Wearing something is generally sub-optimal for a user unless

a. the shape of that thing matches that of the user

b. harnessing, if needed, is comfortable to user

c. the thing itself does not interfere with range of motion of user

III) 1-D=“1-Dimensional”, 2-D=“2-Dimensional”, 3-D=“3-Dimensional”

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The combination of flush device-user palm surface compression along with individually placed and oriented sensor mounting structures directly under a user's fingertips enables a user the unprecedented ability to operate a data interface device with hundreds of commands available through manipulation of switch combinations directly below their fingertips without the user having to maintain a constrained posture or constant positioning of the hands during use. When worn, the device need not be held, looked at, or require re-positioning of the fingers or hand in order to achieve the desired input—whether during sensor operation, hand motion, or in-between use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a top-back-right perspective view of left-handed configuration of device.

FIG. 2 shows a frontal view of the device while being worn by a left hand.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the device while being worn by a left hand.

FIG. 4 shows a right view of the left-handed configuration of device.

FIG. 5 shows a frontal view of the left-handed configuration of device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A) The present invention consists of a device that facilitates methods of interfacing with data

B) The present invention includes a precise 3-D surface geometry of the human palm 1 as shown in FIG. 1 that can be measured from molding, impressions, 3-D scans, or other methods. This surface may be composed of rigid, semi rigid, or slightly flexible materials, with the ability to accommodate the below features

-   -   i) The present invention may accommodate a palm-shaped textured         insert into the main body to add extra friction that can contain         a sparse pattern for a user's sweat fluid to collect and expel         through

C) The present invention includes a comfortable strap 3 as shown in FIG. 3 which may be lined with silicon or other high-friction material [or multiple straps] and slot features 4 as shown in FIG. 2 for said strap or straps to retain device on hand.

D) The present invention includes structural mounting of a thumb stick 7 as shown in FIG. 4 or other 2-D analog control mechanism for cursor control or other 2-D, 1-D analog functionality. Instead of a 2-D switch, a user may include an additional 1-D switch under the thumb.

E) The present invention includes crescent switch-caps 10 as shown in FIG. 5 to better contain fingertips on switches during operation.

i) Each crescent switch cap may have and be assigned a color so that the pressing and releasing of colored switch caps in certain sequences results in different data commands

F) The present invention includes angled hot-swappable switch slots located directly underneath in the natural resting position and orientation of each individual fingertip. The component 2 used for mounting these switch sensors can be seen in FIG. 2 . The consequential individual orientations notated by switch orientation centerlines 9 as shown in FIG. 5

-   -   i) When used in conjunction with spring-loaded switches, fingers         may be returned to an un-pressed switch position with assistance         from the springs within the switches

G) The present invention includes modular features 8 as shown in FIG. 2 to enable detachment of switch sensor mounting components from the palm section slotted hardware features 5 as shown in FIG. 4 for adjusting the location and orientation of the switches in relation to the human palm geometry for varying user finger lengths

H) The present invention includes modular mounting locations 11 as shown in FIG. 5 underneath the switch holder part and human palm geometry to allow for microcomputing hardware, haptic vibrational feedback, Bluetooth modules, inertial measurement unit, GPS module, battery, barcode scanner and/or grappling mechanism (shown in FIG. 3 ) for donning/doffing of present invention

-   -   i) Shown grappling mechanism 6 as shown in FIG. 4 can be used to         put on or take off devices with a mating receiver on a desk so         another hand need not assist with these functions     -   ii) User of the present invention with integrated Bluetooth or         other wireless communication functions allows a user to not be         constrained to keep hands in any constrained position relative         to their body or workstation

I) The present invention may be used on one hand at a time or with two devices/hands in tandem, which allows for greater variety of data interface through increased number of switches able to be manipulated

J) The present invention, including the human palm geometry and other associated components, can be sized using various methods including but not limited to techniques by which an overlay of the user's hand onto a sheet with standardized sizes, since humans of different sizes have different sized hands though similar forms

K) The present invention, with the combination of correctly placed switches and accommodating palm geometry allows for a rapid manipulation of switches in a user's hand, without that user having to adjust a hand grip/position.

L) The present invention can be used in conjunction with holographic glasses/augmented/visual reality technology

M) The present invention can be used for Inventory taking tasks and control of industrial, commercial, and recreational computing devices

N) The present invention can be used for walking or other types of motion while interfacing with data

-   -   O) The present invention can be used for casual gaming, work,         recreation, productivity activities

P) The present invention, specifically in conjunction with a haptic feedback language module, may be useful to audio/vision-compromised individuals, elderly, those with limited dexterity, or a limited ability to stay still for extended periods. 

1. (canceled)
 2. An adjustable and sizeable hand-worn data interface device, comprising: A primary body in contact with the human palm, wherein: the top surface is three-dimensionally contoured to that of the human palm the outer perimeter is bound by the outer perimeter of the human palm to provide sufficient surface area in contact with the palm and allow for unobstructed movement of a user's hand digits slotted features on both sides are attachment points for a non-rigid wearing material the bottom surface contains slotted and threaded features for the attachment of structures for switch sensor hardware and electronic components for data interface Structures physically connecting at least one switch sensor (and user-interfacing switch caps sitting atop them) to the primary body, wherein: Two or more switch sensors and switch caps are mounted in a three-dimensional location and three-dimensional angular orientation relative to the primary body such that the top surface of the switch caps rest parallel and centered directly beneath the rounded tips or “prints” of a user's hand-digits to account for the varying lengths, natural muscular-skeletal curl, and the anatomical origin points of the various segments of those hand-digits from the hand as it pertains to the primary body while a user's hand is naturally at rest, so that a user performs switch cap presses using only a slight natural curl of the operating hand digit(s) A comfortable non-rigid wearing material spanning across the top and sides of a user's hand that attaches to the primary body to provide reactive forces down on the top and around the sides of a user's hand, ensuring constant flush compression between the contoured top surface of the primary body and a user's palm, allowing the device to be operated without an active grip
 3. An adjustable and sizeable data hand-operated interface device, comprising: A primary body in contact with the human palm, wherein: the top surface is three-dimensionally contoured to that of the human palm the outer perimeter is bound by the outer perimeter of the human palm to provide sufficient surface area in contact with the palm and allow for unobstructed movement of the fingers and thumb the bottom surface contains slotted and threaded mounting features for the attachment of structures for switch sensor hardware and data interface electronics Structures physically connecting at least one switch sensor (and user-interfacing switch caps sitting atop them) to the primary body, wherein: Two or more switch sensors and switch caps are mounted in a three-dimensional location and orientation relative to the primary body such that the top surface of the switch cap is parallel and centered directly beneath the rounded tips or “prints” of a user's hand-digits to account for the varying lengths, natural muscular-skeletal curl, and the anatomical origin points of the various segments of those particular hand-digits from the hand as it pertains to the primary body while a user's hand is naturally at rest, so that a user performs switch cap presses using only a slight natural curl of any moving hand digit(s)
 4. The data interface device described in claim 1 wherein the top surface of the primary body is acquired by means of a three-dimensional scan of a residual imprint of the human palm while at rest
 5. The data interface device described in claim 1, wherein the top surface of the primary body is acquired by means of a three-dimensional scan of a residual cast of the human palm while at rest
 6. The data interface device described in claim 1, wherein the top surface of the primary body is acquired by means of a three-dimensional scan of the human palm while at rest
 7. The data interface device described in claim 1, wherein the structures connecting the switch sensor and switch cap to the primary body contain slotted features to adjust the distance between the primary body and sensor/switch cap depending on a user's finger length
 8. The data interface device described in claim 1, wherein the primary body is comprised of a rigid material
 9. The data interface device described in claim 1, wherein the primary body is comprised of a semi-rigid material
 10. The data interface device described in claim 1, wherein the primary body is comprised from a flexible material
 11. The data interface device described in claim 1, wherein the top surface of the switch cap is measured, indented and swept to physically match and retain the rounded 3-D profile of the lower half of the terminal segment of a user's hand digit
 12. The data interface device described in claim 1, wherein the structures connecting the switch sensor and switch cap to the primary body contain features slotted features for mounting electronics
 13. The data interface device described in claim 1, wherein generic electronic hardware used to power the device, process and communicate commands between opposing-hand-worn devices and other user-relevant electronic devices such a battery, microprocessor, and wireless communications module is mounted on the underside of the primary body
 14. The data interface device described in claim 1, wherein a grappling mechanism is mounted on the underside of the primary body to enable its user to put on and take off the device from and to its mounting and charging station without the user having to utilize any other body part
 15. The data interface device described in claim 1, wherein an analog switch enabling the lateral motion of the terminal segment of a user's hand digit may be achieved to add an extra dimension of user input while maintaining contact with the top surface of the switch cap
 16. The data interface device described in claim 1, wherein the primary body is cooled by a device mounted on the underside of the primary body during use
 17. The data interface device described in claim 1, wherein the top surface of the primary body is comprised of a sparsely patterned as opposed to a fully continuous solid surface
 18. The data interface device described in claim 1, wherein an external smart device such as smart phone is mounted on the underside of the primary body and controlled via the data interface device described in claim 1
 19. The data interface device described in claim 2, wherein an existing flat surface optical tracking sensor is mounted on the bottom surface of the primary body in order to achieve traditional desktop cursor function
 20. The data interface device described in claim 1, wherein the physical attributes of the device are mirrored across the plane of human symmetry to comprise the device worn on the user's other hand 